MIDTERM TOPICS

Learning Activities

Introduction
There are many definitions of art, rising and falling in popularity at different points in human
history. The loosest definition of fine art today is artifice: the creation of a thing, not by nature
itself, but by the will of a person or group. It can be visual, meant to be seen; it can be music or
poetry, meant to be heard; it can be a novel to read, a play to watch or a dance to take part in; it
can be buildings or clothing; digital or virtual; it can be the disciplined training of plants or
animals.

Here are some of the things we need to think and analyze out of the different benefits of art in
education.
I. Beneficial Art
Teachers must have connection to art on some level, to prolong art assignments in
elementary school for as long as you could. Children are typically more apt to enjoy drawing
and coloring and are usually not resistant to being exposed to art. From the time that children
are barely beginning to go to school the use of art materials helps them to become more
aware of and comfortable with their surroundings, both physically and mentally.
Art can enhance children’s learning and for many children can provide a healthy outlet from
traditional teaching methods. Art is not a component of the state standardized tests that are
given every year and so it is vanishing from the classroom. Art in the elementary classroom
has great beneficial effects on student learning by stimulating the multiple intelligences
present in a typical group of students. Art activities can serve as a bridge to understanding for
students; in addition, art has the potential to act as therapy for students with emotional issues.
During early development, students who have difficulty verbalizing ideas can use art as an
alternative way to express themselves. With the current emphasis on standardization and high
stakes testing, art has lost a place in the curriculum, to the disservice of the students
emotionally and cognitively. Unfortunately, a typical classroom teaches primarily to visual
and auditory learners while leaving others by the wayside. Effective use of art in the
classroom can bridge learning across all of the multiple intelligences and benefit all types of
learners. The multiple intelligences tend to be neglected in a typical classroom environment.
Linguistic and visual learners tend to be the students that thrive best in a traditional
classroom environment. If curricula only address those two intelligences a great percentage
of students are placed at a disadvantage. Art in the classroom can be used to bridge
instruction to many of the less frequently addressed intelligences. The bodily/kinesthetic
learner can be reached through performance. Musical learners can create songs for concepts
or work to a beat. Most of all, though, art in the classroom makes learning more fun and
therefore more meaningful to students.
Art in elementary education offers a myriad of benefits that contribute to a well-rounded
development for young learners. Here are some key advantages:
Enhanced Creativity: Engaging in artistic activities fosters creativity, encouraging
children to think outside the box and express their unique ideas.
Improved Motor Skills: Activities like drawing, painting, and sculpting help develop
fine motor skills, which are crucial for tasks such as writing and using tools.
Emotional Expression: Art provides a safe outlet for children to express their feelings,
helping them process emotions and build emotional intelligence.
Cognitive Development: Creating art involves problem-solving, critical thinking, and
decision-making, all of which support cognitive growth.
Cultural Awareness: Exposure to various art forms introduces children to diverse
cultures and perspectives, promoting empathy and understanding.
Collaboration and Teamwork: Group art projects teach children how to work together,
share ideas, and value each other’s contributions.
Boosted Confidence: Completing an art project can enhance self-esteem and a sense of
accomplishment, encouraging children to take pride in their work.
 Engagement and Motivation: Art can make learning more enjoyable, increasing
engagement and motivation across subjects.
Integration with Other Subjects: Art can be incorporated into lessons in subjects like
math, science, and history, reinforcing learning in a creative way.
Critical Observation: Art encourages children to observe their surroundings closely,
fostering skills in observation and analysis.
Overall, integrating art into elementary education enriches the learning experience, supporting
holistic development in children.

II. Students Need Art

Little kids are masters of the moment—they love the way it feels when they smear paint on
paper, how it looks when they sprinkle glitter, and even the soft sound a brush makes as it
crosses the page, says Amy Yang, founder of Brooklyn Design Lab, an art school for
children.
Students involved in the arts have tremendous academic benefits compared to students
without exposure to the arts. Art inspires kids to excel in and out of the classroom. It helps
students stay in school, increases motivation, improves attitudes and attendance, and
improves academic performance.
According to Americans for the Arts, a student involved in the arts is:
 4x more likely to be recognized for academic achievement.
 4x more likely to participate in a math or science fair.
 3x more likely to win an award for school attendance.
 3x more likely to be elected to class office.
Lower income or socioeconomic students experience even greater benefits from the arts.
Low income students highly engaged in the arts are more than twice as likely to graduate
compared to their peers with no arts education, and have a 5x lower dropout rate.
Absolutely, students need art for several compelling reasons:
Self-Expression: Art allows students to express their thoughts and emotions creatively,
providing a voice for feelings that might be difficult to articulate.
Cognitive Skills: Engaging in artistic activities enhances critical thinking, problem-
solving, and analytical skills, which are essential across all subjects.
Cultural Appreciation: Art exposes students to different cultures and histories, fostering
respect and understanding for diverse perspectives.
Emotional Well-Being: Creating art can be therapeutic, helping students manage stress,
anxiety, and other emotional challenges.
Collaboration: Group art projects encourage teamwork, communication, and social
skills, as students learn to work together toward a common goal.
Engagement in Learning: Integrating art into the curriculum can make learning more
dynamic and enjoyable, helping to maintain students' interest and motivation.
Boosting Confidence: Completing an art project can instill a sense of achievement,
enhancing students' confidence in their abilities.
Fine Motor Development: Activities like drawing and painting improve fine motor
skills, which are crucial for other academic tasks.
Inspiration and Innovation: Art nurtures imagination and creativity, skills that are vital
in today’s ever-evolving world. Cross-Pollination of Ideas: Artists often draw
inspiration from different disciplines, cultures, and experiences. This blending of
influences can spark fresh concepts and innovations that might not emerge in more
conventional environments.
Lifelong Skills: Exposure to art can cultivate an appreciation for creativity that benefits
students throughout their lives, encouraging them to pursue innovative thinking in
various fields.

III. Multiple Intelligences for All

Instruction based on Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences has been a staple
in classrooms for several decades now, but with the shift towards high-stakes testing, the
focus on Multiple Intelligences has been getting pushed aside. So much concentration and
emphasis have been given to test-taking skills and addressing the massive curriculum that
 teachers simply cannot take the time to include any art projects or activities that might focus
on the less-taught intelligences. These areas are not areas that can be tested and they are
consequently not on any state tests. Precious instruction time is not therefore “sacrificed” for
some of these essential areas of understanding and students are suffering. Because the
required curriculum is so large, teachers are pressured to move as quickly and efficiently as
possible through the grade-designated material. Because of this, the arts and consequently
Multiple Intelligences-related instruction are cut.
"Multiple Intelligences for All" typically refers to the idea of applying Howard Gardner's theory
of multiple intelligences in educational settings to recognize and nurture the diverse abilities of
all learners. Here’s a brief overview of the key concepts:

Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences

Gardner proposed that intelligence is not a single entity but a collection of different types of
intelligences, including:
1. Linguistic Intelligence: The ability to use language effectively, whether spoken or
written.
2. Logical-Mathematical Intelligence: The capacity for logical reasoning and problem-
solving.
3. Spatial Intelligence: The ability to visualize and manipulate spatial relationships.
4. Musical Intelligence: The talent for understanding and creating music.
5. Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence: The skill in using one’s body to express ideas or solve
problems.
6. Interpersonal Intelligence: The ability to understand and interact effectively with
others.
7. Intrapersonal Intelligence: The capacity for self-awareness and self-reflection.
8. Naturalistic Intelligence: The ability to recognize and categorize plants, animals, and
other elements of nature.

IV. Wise Eisner

Elliot Eisner was a prominent figure in art education and a strong advocate for the role of the arts
in schools. His work emphasized the importance of artistic experiences in developing critical
thinking, creativity, and emotional intelligence. Here are some key points about Eisner's
contributions and ideas:
Elliot Eisner was a prominent American educator and researcher known for his work in arts
education and curriculum theory. He advocated for the importance of the arts in education,
emphasizing that they play a crucial role in fostering creativity and critical thinking. Eisner's
concept of "the arts as a form of cognition" highlighted how artistic processes contribute to
understanding and learning.